CUMBRIAN farmer Alan Alderson has stepped down as chairman of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association after 18 successful years.

Mr Alderson, of Barras Farm, Kirkby Stephen, was succeeded by Will Cockbain, of Rakefoot Farm, Keswick, at the association’s recent annual meeting in Kirkby Stephen.

Mr Alderson was presented with a painting of himself showing a ram by vice-chairman Maurice Oxley.

He joined the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association, aged 18, as a district secretary whose job was to recruit more breeders and continued with this until the age of 23.

As a breeder, he says his standout achievement was producing two record-breaking tups in 1979-1980. He said: “I’m extremely proud that the association brokered a deal to supply Dawn Meats Carnaby in Bridlington, who put our lamb onto M&S shelves around the country.”

Mr Cockbain, who was the NFU’s national uplands spokesman for eight years, said: “Alan has done a fantastic job for a long time, he is very well known and respected throughout the sheep industry and will be a hard act to follow.”